This presentation explores the uses and
understanding of mathematics on the San Carlos Apache
reservation. Through qualitative interviews with adult
community members, findings reveal mathematics to be
perceived as an artifice of Eurocentric culture. The
English word "mathematics" represents a narrow perception
of mathematics whereas the interviewees indicated that
they personally engaged in complex mathematical concepts
that are identified and discussed as a culturally distinct
phenomenon, Apache mathematics. Euromathematics was
relegated to decontextualized "memorized miracles" within
schools. Apache mathematical concepts used in everyday
events were identified as simply a part of the overall
event, such as hunting and running.
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